The bottom line

The Orioles went into the week needing to make a statement against the Red Sox and Yankees to re-establish themselves as a serious playoff contender. They lost both series and their only consolation was that the Tampa Bay Rays were swept by the Oakland A's over the weekend to keep them within reasonable distance of the second wild-card position. The postseason is still possible, but not if the offense remains as inconsistent as it has been over the past couple of weeks. It's time to fish or cut bait in Cleveland. Grade: D

The Orioles went into the week needing to make a statement against the Red Sox and Yankees to re-establish themselves as a serious playoff contender. They lost both series and their only consolation was that the Tampa Bay Rays were swept by the Oakland A's over the weekend to keep them within reasonable distance of the second wild-card position. The postseason is still possible, but not if the offense remains as inconsistent as it has been over the past couple of weeks. It's time to fish or cut bait in Cleveland. Grade: D (Algerina Perna, MCT)

The Orioles went into the week needing to make a statement against the Red Sox and Yankees to re-establish themselves as a serious playoff contender. They lost both series and their only consolation was that the Tampa Bay Rays were swept by the Oakland A's over the weekend to keep them within reasonable distance of the second wild-card position. The postseason is still possible, but not if the offense remains as inconsistent as it has been over the past couple of weeks. It's time to fish or cut bait in Cleveland. Grade: DAlgerina Perna, MCT